We’ve heard of autobiographies penned by actors and even filmmakers but seldom has a writer-director come up with a tell-all book. Rumi Jaffery, the scriptwriter of big-ticket Bollywood blockbusters such as Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan and the forthcoming Partner 2, and the director of God Tussi Great Ho, is an exception.

Buddies’ supportConfirming the news, Jaffery says he’s been writing for only a little over a month. He was urged on by industry buddies over the last year. “When conversing with friends I’d often recall interesting anecdotes about someone or the other from the industry. And soon, these friends started pushing me into writing my life story,” says Jaffrey. “They believe the story of a small boy from Bhopal making it big in the Mumbai film industry would offer some great insights and inspire others to make a career in show business.”

He admits that it was iconic star Amitabh Bachchan who first came up with the suggestion. “During the shooting of Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin Amiji put the thought into my head. It came up rather suddenly and I was unsure of it. But he insisted it would make for an interesting read and that I definitely should give it a thought,” recalls Jaffery.

His childhood habit of writing a diary came in handy when he finally decided to put pen to paper. “Every night, before going to bed, I’d meticulously note down all that happened during the day. Seven years ago, I stopped being regular and that’s sad because now I’m fighting to remember on what date a particular event occurred,” he says.

Without bias The writer-director is aware of bias seeping into his book but he asserts that he will try to write honestly and objectively. “My wife suggested I should edit out stuff that would bother others. I’ll take a call on that once I have completed the book. I’ll decide whether to delete something or attribute it to anonymous sources,” he says.

Jaffery’s pals, David Dhawan and Sajid Nadiadwala have been prodding him along. What about Big B? Says Jaffery, “I haven’t yet spoken to Amitji about the book since I haven’t met him in a while. But I’m sure he will bless me when I tell him about it.”